Some years ago I did a minor amount of design and artwork for the Disney people involving Bambi, and received an invitation to a reception, and that invitation had this watercolor image on the front:
Different Effect
Say what you will about the Disneyfication of classic children's stories, Disney's production concept artists were tops in their abilities to evoke mood and atmosphere, as well as giving credibility to fantasy.
Vice Squad
Here's a guy gettin' picked on by a squad of vice. Leave him alone you goons! Can't you see he just wants to enjoy your company in peace?! Can't a guy just have a little fun?!
My FLINTSTONES sketch cards (based on the designs by Ed Benedict and Craig Kellman). Each card measures 2.5" x 3.5" (size of a baseball card)...markers, brush & ink on textured 80 lb. card stock. E-mail me at powsley@flash.net.
Seeking Its Voice
Norman Lindsay lived a long and productive life, developing a style that is instantly recognizable as his. But early on, his work was seeking its 'voice', as all artists' work must go through. This Lindsay illustration is from 1914.
It's Time To CRAWL WITH THE DEAD So Cal
Written By: Ken Hulsey
Hey all you Monster Maniacs! I just got turned on to a cool event that is going to take place here locally in the Inland Empire ...... The 1st Annual Redlands Zombie Walk.
As you probably already guessed it is a bunch of people getting together to dress up like zombies and wander through the streets of Redlands. Kinda like a marathon for the undead ....... and how cool is that?
Here is the info: CALLING ALL ZOMBIES!! Come lurch with us on Feb 12, 2011 at The first Annual Redlands Zombie Walk. Lets make Redlands Zombie Walk the best and the biggest in San Bernardino!
http://www.crawlofthedead.com/crawls/info/1st_annual_redlands_zombie_walk/
Hey all you Monster Maniacs! I just got turned on to a cool event that is going to take place here locally in the Inland Empire ...... The 1st Annual Redlands Zombie Walk.
As you probably already guessed it is a bunch of people getting together to dress up like zombies and wander through the streets of Redlands. Kinda like a marathon for the undead ....... and how cool is that?
Here is the info: CALLING ALL ZOMBIES!! Come lurch with us on Feb 12, 2011 at The first Annual Redlands Zombie Walk. Lets make Redlands Zombie Walk the best and the biggest in San Bernardino!
http://www.crawlofthedead.com/crawls/info/1st_annual_redlands_zombie_walk/
Immortalized
Imagine being immortalized in a portrait by the great golden age illustrator Edmund Dulac!
Dulac was commissioned by Her Serene Highness, Princess Alice of Monaco to paint her five-year-old goddaughter, Vivian St George in 1917. Who knows whatever happened to Vivian (who would be 99 if she were still alive today), but she is forever five in a near fantasy setting appropriate to Dulac.
Heresy
I know this is heresy, but Maxfield Parrish is NOT one of my favorite golden age illustrators. Maybe it 's over-exposure that limits my appreciation, and don't get me wrong—his work has many high water marks, yet in general I like a lot of other illustrators' work more. But this illustration by Parrish is intriguing for its technique and its wealth of content in such a small space.
This is the original art for one of the illustrations from Kenneth Grahame's 'The Golden Age', an 1899 book. The art is black and gray wash, with white gouache touches, over graphite on beige wove paper. The inscription, by the artist, says:
"Alarums and Excursions." — Once again were damsels rescued, dragons disembowelled, and giants . . . etc.
Ariane
Isn't this is a buttery-bright opera poster for Ariane, a five act opera by Jules Massenet . . .
Explaining the pictorial elements used in the poster:
'The story is based on the mythology surrounding Theseus and the sisters Ariane and Phédre. The two sisters are both in love with Theseus, yet he chooses Phédre over Ariane. When Phédre is killed by the toppled statue of Adonis, Ariane travels to the underworld to beg Perséphone for her sister's resurrection. Softened by Ariane's offering of roses, Perséphone complies and Phédre returns to earth. Theseus is then made to choose among the sisters again and once more chooses Phédre, abandoning Ariane on the banks of Naxos. Distraught, she is lured into the sea by the voices of beckoning sirens.' —Wiki
Mediterranean Beach
Time for another watercolor by Sir William Russell Flint, this one combining his love for figure studies and the life Mediterranean. Flint was so prolific, over his many years, with his watercolor studies that I suspect there are many out there still waiting to be uncovered.
Yeah, I'm Nuts
In the previous post I said I was probably nuts for thinking Frank Papé may have inspired Will Elder with his rendering style and sense of humor. Well, yeah, I'm nuts. In the back of my head I think I had this rendering from a Mad magazine in mind:
This is Elder's funny rendering of 12 year old Pocahontas putting herself in harm's way to save John Smith. I'm not even sure whether the entire drawing is Elder's, or maybe he doctored an old print. Either way I think it's an anomaly for Elder. But still, take a close look at some of those Papé drawings—the funny little details, the animated gestures . . . I dunno, I bet Elder could've seen that stuff and eaten it up . . .
This is Elder's funny rendering of 12 year old Pocahontas putting herself in harm's way to save John Smith. I'm not even sure whether the entire drawing is Elder's, or maybe he doctored an old print. Either way I think it's an anomaly for Elder. But still, take a close look at some of those Papé drawings—the funny little details, the animated gestures . . . I dunno, I bet Elder could've seen that stuff and eaten it up . . .
Spectrum of Style
To me, Frank Pape's work is a joy to behold, yet it's interesting how his style runs a spectrum even within one book. His illustrations for a 1926 edition of Thaïs by Anatole France — as seen here — are dramatic, decorative, sensual AND humorous. His work is somewhat comparable to Willy Pogany.
I'm probably nuts, but looking at this work, I see a possibly huge inspiration on Mad Magazine's genius artist Will Elder, especially his early stuff. I'll post one of those next time, just to compare.
Anyway, Frank Papé should be an inspiration to many.
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